The project known as Fumukaba was conceived by the Galp Foundation as a means of promoting energy transition in Guinea-Bissau and encouraging the community to adopt cleaner energy solutions. The initiative is expected to encompass over 25,000 households in the city of Bissau by 2020, in addition to boosting the local economy and improving the quality of life and health of these communities.
Sandra Aparício, from the Galp Foundation, applauds the achievement of having brought together a group of partners to render the execution of the project possible. “Fumukaba is an example of a cooperative partnership for sustainable development”, she says.
In turn, Luís Melo, president of the Bissau City Council, regards Fumukaba as innovative, highlighting that “we are in the early days of a new era in the city of Bissau”, and that it is important people are well informed to enable them to participate: “If the sensitization process is successful, Bissau will become a healthy, smoke-free city.”
Currently, around 95% of population resident in Guinea-Bissau use firewood and charcoal for cooking and other energy needs, due to the low production of electrical energy and the almost non-existent supply and regular use of butane gas, in both urban and rural areas.
The Fumukaba project involves an investment of 1 million euros – 10% of which is financed by the Galp Foundation and 90% by the European Union – and is implemented within the scope of the “Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa – Phase II” programme. In addition to the Galp Foundation and the European Union, the Union of Portuguese Language Capital Cities and the Municipality of Bissau are also partners of Fumukaba.
NUMBERS IN RELATION TO FUMUKABA
More than 25,000 families covered in the Bissau region, impacting over 220,000 inhabitants.
More than 100,000 hectares of deforestation prevented.
More than 530,000 tons of CO2 emissions prevented.
24 months: the expected duration of the project (April 2018 to April 2020).